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Thumbelina
Elsa Beskow's charming illustrations bring to life this classic Hans Christian Andersen tale of a thumb-sized girl who has big adventures. Thumbelina is so small she sleeps in a walnut shell bed with a rose petal sheet. One day, a toad steals her away from her home and keeps her captive on a lilypad, until some fish set her free to find her way through the countryside. Will Thumbelina ever find a new home among friends? Available in English for the first time in thirty years, this beautiful book will be a wonderful addition to the shelves of Elsa Beskow admirers everywhere.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1945
2 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Hans Christian Andersen
7,789 books3,546 followersHans Christian Andersen (often referred to in Scandinavia as H.C. Andersen) was a Danish author and poet. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, Andersen is best remembered for his fairy tales. Andersen's popularity is not limited to children; his stories — called eventyr, or "fairy-tales" — express themes that transcend age and nationality.
Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.
Andersen's fairy tales, which have been translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Some of his most famous fairy tales include "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Nightingale", "The Emperor's New Clothes" and many more. His stories have inspired plays, ballets, and both live-action and animated films.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 27, 2018
Elsa Beskow illustrates this Hans Christian Anderson tale beautifully. This illustrator is so good at drawing nature, particularly insects and flowers, and draws wonderful children and fairyfolk. I appreciate Elsa Beskow's attention to detail and accuracy of the natural world so we were surprised to see one of the characters, a bird which is probably a sand Martin or possibly a swift called a swallow. Perhaps this happened in translation. Although the tale is full of the strange and problematic situations as fairy tales often are we really enjoyed Elsa Beskow's artwork.
October 3, 2025
Art nouveau revival illustrations make this a gem of a thrift store find in Vernal, Utah! Sadly, Thumbelina doesn’t have much agency and finds herself betrothed to many different varieties of beasts before finding a suitable marriage. Not necessarily the happy ending I would hope for in 2025, but the illustrations make it a worthwhile picturebook read! My edition was published in 1979 by Troll Associates, not sure if it was related to Troll dolls.
July 4, 2016
Illustrated by David Johnson
“Thumbelina” is one of the most cherished stories in the Rabbit Ears Storybook Classics series and is surely a classic in its own right. Kelly McGillis’ tender narration, along with Mark Isham’s memorizing music and David Johnson’s exquisite drawings, combine to make “Thumbelina” one of the tenderest stories in Rabbit Ears history.
Kelly McGillis’ narration is extremely tender as she makes this story extremely touching and soothing to watch and she also greatly expresses Thumbelina’s sorrow of being married to the mole in a sorrowful tone which brought life to that scene. Another great aspect of Kelly McGillis’ narration is that she provides a wide variety of vocal talents like Robin Williams when she uses a high-pitched voice to voice the field mouse and a croaking voice when she voices the toad. Mark Isham’s music is extremely soothing and memorizing to listen to and the scene where Mark Isham’s music takes center stage is in the scene where Thumbelina finds the flower angels’ kingdom as Mark Isham accompanies this scene with soothing guitar sounds. David Johnson’s illustrations are extremely beautiful and light toned especially when he illustrates Thumbelina as an extremely beautiful girl with blond hair wrapped up in a braided ponytail and who wears a blue overall dress. Also, the scene where there is an image of the white marble palace by the lake is extremely breathtaking as you can see the reflection of the palace in the lake.
“Thumbelina” is probably Rabbit Ears’ most beloved story and it will surely be an instant treat to children young and old. I would recommend this story to children ages three and older since it has nothing inappropriate for the children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2019
Thumbelina, illustrated by David Johnson.
Part of Rabbit Ears Entertainment's series of fairy-tell retellings, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina is mostly faithful to the original, with one or two minor changes obviously intended to make the heroine less passive. Thumbelina asks the fish to help her escape from the toads, for instance, rather than just weeping on her lily pad. David Johnson's ink and watercolor illustrations are hit or miss, some - like that depicting the Mole entering Mouse's home - felt murky and crowded; while others - such as the full spread depicting Thumbelina, as Sparrow departs for the south - had a lovely and expressive delicacy.
But although this retelling has definite merit, I found myself - just as with David Jorgensen's The Steadfast Tin Soldier - wishing that I had access to the accompanying CD, with its music by Mark Isham, and narration by actress Kelly McGillis. I wonder if I would feel this way if I didn't know there was a CD...? In any case, I found this a pretty but mostly unremarkable, adaptation of Thumbelina: the fairy-tale lover can do better.
Part of Rabbit Ears Entertainment's series of fairy-tell retellings, this adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina is mostly faithful to the original, with one or two minor changes obviously intended to make the heroine less passive. Thumbelina asks the fish to help her escape from the toads, for instance, rather than just weeping on her lily pad. David Johnson's ink and watercolor illustrations are hit or miss, some - like that depicting the Mole entering Mouse's home - felt murky and crowded; while others - such as the full spread depicting Thumbelina, as Sparrow departs for the south - had a lovely and expressive delicacy.
But although this retelling has definite merit, I found myself - just as with David Jorgensen's The Steadfast Tin Soldier - wishing that I had access to the accompanying CD, with its music by Mark Isham, and narration by actress Kelly McGillis. I wonder if I would feel this way if I didn't know there was a CD...? In any case, I found this a pretty but mostly unremarkable, adaptation of Thumbelina: the fairy-tale lover can do better.
May 15, 2019
Mysiga barndomsminnen ❤
August 10, 2022
Here is yet another fairy tale variation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina. The story basically follows most of the other versions that are out there in the telling although at the last part of it Thumbelina's name is changed to something more fitting of her closing rank.
Instead what sets this version out from most of the other ones is its brightly colored illustrations. Although they are of a muted palette the details help to separate this book out. With the exception of the sparrow, the butterfly and fish the rest of the animal characters were cast in clothing while the Mrs. Toad's son was wearing overalls. And Thumbelina's wedding gown itself changed colors about four times. My only complaints about the illustrations was the fact that Thumbelina's eyes were done weird and that the Flower King strangely enough resembled Disney's Peter Pan.
Otherwise it will make a great introduction to the story of Thumbelina for those who haven't heard it.
Instead what sets this version out from most of the other ones is its brightly colored illustrations. Although they are of a muted palette the details help to separate this book out. With the exception of the sparrow, the butterfly and fish the rest of the animal characters were cast in clothing while the Mrs. Toad's son was wearing overalls. And Thumbelina's wedding gown itself changed colors about four times. My only complaints about the illustrations was the fact that Thumbelina's eyes were done weird and that the Flower King strangely enough resembled Disney's Peter Pan.
Otherwise it will make a great introduction to the story of Thumbelina for those who haven't heard it.
January 1, 2019
I have always loved the story of Thumbelina. This one is truer to the original story than most, and Robyn Officer's illustrations are the best I have ever seen. My copy of the book is a tiny little thing, and I can't help thinking that a larger volume would do more justice to the beauty of the illustrations, but this is still my all-time favorite edition for this story.
June 16, 2023
The original fairy tale with beautiful Elsa Beskow illustrations. I loved this story as a child, but the book I had as a girl didn’t have illustrations nearly as beautiful as this version. 💜 if you’re looking for an excellent version of the original Thumbelina story, you won’t go wrong with this one!
February 21, 2015
Charming tale with a happy ending. Children will adore this book.
December 31, 2020
There's always been something unsettling to me about the desire of other creatures to steal steal Thumbelina off and arrange a marriage for her. Child trafficking. ick.
August 18, 2025
💠 Leído en físico
Pulgarcita también es un personaje que se ha adentrado en el imaginario colectivo gracias a películas y adaptaciones. No tenía idea de que fue escrito por Andersen y, si bien su visual no es tan marcado como el de la reina de las nieves, mantiene características tan particulares que hacen que sea bastante grato verlo representado en animaciones o en ilustraciones.
Sobre la historia, no puedo decir mucho. Desde que la robaron para casarse interpreté que podría ser una representación a través de la fantasía sobre cómo las mujeres históricamente han sido reducidas a solo un interés romántico y su belleza. Pulgarcita, en todo su recorrido ha sido secuestrada por hombres que la obligan a casarse o a permanecer encerrada, sumado a esto la juzgan su belleza según su parecer. La protagonista es alguien prácticamente vulnerable, por su físico y su edad (recordando que todavía era una bebé o niña cuando la secuestraron). A lo largo del relato no tiene voz ni voto sobre su destino porque es llevada a la fuerza. Por eso el final es algo agridulce para mí, agrio porque de nuevo reforzamos en que la felicidad en una mujer es conseguir a un príncipe (no digo que el romance sea malo, solo lo menciono porque no es lo que buscaba pulgarcita en un principio al ser secuestrada muy joven) y dulce porque, por primera vez, ella consintió la unión y encuentra un destino en el que se siente libre.
Comparándolo con la reina de las nieves, encontré más sentido simbólico al recorrido de Pulgarcita porque retratan problemas culturales que han pasado las mujeres a lo largo de la historia en distintas culturas como el matrimonio forzado (incluso si cuentas que Pulgarcita era casi recién nacida) o pasar por alguien que te impone un rol de ama de casa y la mantiene encerrada. No sé si yo le estoy dando más profundidad de lo que realmente es, pero me agrada encontrar este tipo de interpretaciones en obras así.
Pulgarcita también es un personaje que se ha adentrado en el imaginario colectivo gracias a películas y adaptaciones. No tenía idea de que fue escrito por Andersen y, si bien su visual no es tan marcado como el de la reina de las nieves, mantiene características tan particulares que hacen que sea bastante grato verlo representado en animaciones o en ilustraciones.
Sobre la historia, no puedo decir mucho. Desde que la robaron para casarse interpreté que podría ser una representación a través de la fantasía sobre cómo las mujeres históricamente han sido reducidas a solo un interés romántico y su belleza. Pulgarcita, en todo su recorrido ha sido secuestrada por hombres que la obligan a casarse o a permanecer encerrada, sumado a esto la juzgan su belleza según su parecer. La protagonista es alguien prácticamente vulnerable, por su físico y su edad (recordando que todavía era una bebé o niña cuando la secuestraron). A lo largo del relato no tiene voz ni voto sobre su destino porque es llevada a la fuerza. Por eso el final es algo agridulce para mí, agrio porque de nuevo reforzamos en que la felicidad en una mujer es conseguir a un príncipe (no digo que el romance sea malo, solo lo menciono porque no es lo que buscaba pulgarcita en un principio al ser secuestrada muy joven) y dulce porque, por primera vez, ella consintió la unión y encuentra un destino en el que se siente libre.
Comparándolo con la reina de las nieves, encontré más sentido simbólico al recorrido de Pulgarcita porque retratan problemas culturales que han pasado las mujeres a lo largo de la historia en distintas culturas como el matrimonio forzado (incluso si cuentas que Pulgarcita era casi recién nacida) o pasar por alguien que te impone un rol de ama de casa y la mantiene encerrada. No sé si yo le estoy dando más profundidad de lo que realmente es, pero me agrada encontrar este tipo de interpretaciones en obras así.
May 1, 2023
Quirky, but sweet and a little odd🙃. I'm not sure if this is a modified version of the original story or if this is it. Much seemed to be left out and unexplained.
May 13, 2025
I really enjoyed the story of Thumberlina when I was a child
May 29, 2025
After a long adventure and many kidnappings, she finds her match after helping a little bird.
November 16, 2025
One of my childhood favorites.
March 11, 2015
Thumbelina, is a story about a woman who wished to have a daughter. So one day the woman was given a magic bean by a witch who said if she planted the bean and cared for it, her wish would come true! And sure enough it did! A little woman came out of the flower who was very tiny, no bigger than a thumb, and the woman named her Thumbelina! But one night Thumbelina was taken from her home by a toad, the toad wanted her to marry his son, then she escaped the pond and went to the sea and was taken by a beetle. Thumbelina was taken by many different animals, she lived with a mouse, then went to live with a mole who she almost married but snuck out one night and was saved by a swallow who took her to a flower field with a flower king who they ended up falling in love and living happily ever after!
Thumbelina contains some double page spreads, and all of the pictures go along with the story being told! Like with each animal she is visiting, there are pictures of her with those animals. There is no certain writing pattern in Thumbelina, just the story being told. In many pictures, the illustrator or publisher put on a lot of sparkly paper to make the picture more appealing to the reader. It also looks like the illustrator used pain to draw the pictures in the story.
I really enjoyed this story, I thought it was really cute. At some parts I almost felt bad for Thumbelina because she was so tiny and helpless! But in the end when she met another tiny man in the flower field I was happy for her!
Thumbelina contains some double page spreads, and all of the pictures go along with the story being told! Like with each animal she is visiting, there are pictures of her with those animals. There is no certain writing pattern in Thumbelina, just the story being told. In many pictures, the illustrator or publisher put on a lot of sparkly paper to make the picture more appealing to the reader. It also looks like the illustrator used pain to draw the pictures in the story.
I really enjoyed this story, I thought it was really cute. At some parts I almost felt bad for Thumbelina because she was so tiny and helpless! But in the end when she met another tiny man in the flower field I was happy for her!
October 1, 2014
This book is filled with adventure. I think the book is awesome for children to read because it gives them different view points. Towards the end of the picture book, it shows children that ends can be a happy one.
What caught my attention just by looking at the cover were the watercolor paintings. Throughout the book, the illustrations were all watercolored. On one page theres a silver tear that Thumbelina sheds that children love because its completely different from the rest of the pictures. I thought it was a great idea to have the text not on the illustrations because they were that beautiful. Speaking of the text, they used a good size reading font so it can be easily read. I recommend this book to future readers who are up for an adventure!
What caught my attention just by looking at the cover were the watercolor paintings. Throughout the book, the illustrations were all watercolored. On one page theres a silver tear that Thumbelina sheds that children love because its completely different from the rest of the pictures. I thought it was a great idea to have the text not on the illustrations because they were that beautiful. Speaking of the text, they used a good size reading font so it can be easily read. I recommend this book to future readers who are up for an adventure!
March 12, 2015
A lovely retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic. Beautifully illustrations. I especially appreciate the time Thumbelina and the Flower King took to get to know each other before getting married. Other versions have them marry right away.
The story can be used to empower young girls to listen to their hearts, as Thumbelina did when she did not marry the mole knowing it was wrong for her.
An empowering adventurous tale.
The story can be used to empower young girls to listen to their hearts, as Thumbelina did when she did not marry the mole knowing it was wrong for her.
An empowering adventurous tale.
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March 29, 2016Traditional literature book #3
A tiny girl no bigger than a thumb is stolen by a toad. She goes through many adventures trying to get home. She has a run in with a beetle, field mice, and a mole, before being flown by a swallow to a handsome flower spirits king. He asked thumbelina to be his queen.
A tiny girl no bigger than a thumb is stolen by a toad. She goes through many adventures trying to get home. She has a run in with a beetle, field mice, and a mole, before being flown by a swallow to a handsome flower spirits king. He asked thumbelina to be his queen.
February 25, 2009
my childhood
July 14, 2009
Fabulous illustration.
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July 30, 2009JE398.2-And
January 13, 2014
Lovely illustrations in this edition!
February 21, 2014
A sweet adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's Thumbelina.
March 12, 2015
Thumbelina is indeed a classic. However, I feel that many don't know its story.
April 10, 2015
This was a book full of fantasy and wonder. It brought the reader unto an unexpected journey.
March 12, 2015
This is a story about a women wanting a daughter Very badly so she did whatever she could in her right mind to get one.
June 9, 2018
Great illustrations!
December 21, 2018
Maren enjoyed this and said it was true to the movie. ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews